A PENSIONER celebrated his 90th birthday at his own art exhibition.

Alan Pursey drove his camper van on trips around the country with his late wife, June, and sketched drawings of buildings along their route.

Suzanne Howe, from United in Kind, and Kirsti Ayling met Mr Pursey after they discovered he had shown his artwork to friends at a bereavement café.

The pair decided to hold a one-day exhibition of his work at Rosebank Park, in Dovercourt.

For Mr Pursey, it was a dream come true.

Following the success of the first exhibition, his supporters organised a three-week long exhibition at the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre.

Kirsti, from Friends and Neighbours Essex, organised a tea party at the centre to celebrate Mr Pursey’s 90th birthday.

Visitors also enjoyed his exhibition.

Kirsti said: “It was simply amazing, he was so happy with all the people who turned up to celebrate with him and admire his artwork.

“It was truly special for him and he had a great day.

“I can’t express how happy Alan was to see everybody, especially to hear all the wonderful comments about his remarkable artwork.

“The exhibition has been wonderfully received with plans to now hold one in Colchester as his work is so popular.”

Michael Offord, of The Harwich Festival, said: “It was a pleasure to host Alan’s exhibition at the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre.

“We were delighted with the turnout and there have been some wonderful comments left in the exhibition feedback book.

“A huge thanks to Alan for exhibiting but also to Kirsti who did a wonderful job in arranging the exhibition.”

Mr Pursey, born in 1931, served in the RAF for five years, before joining Essex Police and moving to Colchester.

He joined the accident investigation team, putting together scale drawings of serious crime scenes.

His exhibited sketches feature scenes drawn across Colchester and north Essex.